U.S. President Donald Trump has responded publicly to the resignation of former Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell, sending a pointed message after Swalwell resigned amid sexual misconduct allegations.
Eric Swalwell resigned from Congress and ended his campaign for California governor this week after five women accused him of sexual misconduct.
One former staffer said he raped her twice while she was intoxicated, in 2019 and 2024. Another woman, Lonna Drewes, accused him of drugging and raping her in 2018.
The accusations ended Swalwell’s run as the leading Democratic candidate in the 2026 California gubernatorial primary. He had raised millions of dollars and led polls in March with 17.3 percent support.
Trump speaks out
Donald Trump commented on the scandal in a phone interview with the Daily Mail on April 16th.
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“He’s a sleazebag. Always has been. He’s a long timer, and he’s a bad guy. I don’t know anything about the charges, but he’s a bad guy,” Trump said.
Trump added: “He’s always been a bad guy, he’s a corrupt politician, and everyone knows it, so it’s happening to him, and we’ll see what happens. Right? Let him go defend himself.”
Until the interview, Trump had only reposted articles about the allegations on Truth Social.
Two criminal investigations into the claims are underway. The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department have started probes.
Swalwell has denied any wrongdoing. He said he made “mistakes in judgment” and apologized to his wife, Brittany Watts.
Swalwell and Trump Relationship
Swalwell, 45, had been a vocal critic of Trump. He accused the president of colluding with Russia in 2016 and served as an impeachment manager in Trump’s second trial in 2021.
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He was removed from the House Intelligence Committee in 2023 after reports about his past ties to Christine Fang, a Chinese national accused by the FBI of working on behalf of the Chinese government.
Fang helped with fundraising and placed an intern in his office between 2011 and 2015. Swalwell cut ties in 2015 after the FBI investigation. He has not been accused of wrongdoing in that matter.
Before the scandal, Swalwell’s lawyers sent a cease-and-desist letter to FBI Director Kash Patel to block release of files related to Fang.
Why this matters
The resignation removes a prominent Trump critic from Congress and ends his bid to succeed Governor Gavin Newsom in California.
The case shows how serious sexual misconduct allegations can quickly end a long political career, even for a high-profile Democrat who led his party’s primary field.
Criminal investigations in two jurisdictions will now determine if charges follow. Swalwell’s fall also highlights ongoing questions about past relationships with foreign nationals in Congress, though no charges have been filed on that issue.
